Is Your Name In The Book Of Life?

Some 30 miles south of Akhisar (Thyatira) is the site of the next congregation to receive a message from the glorified Jesus: Sardis. In the sixth century before our Common Era, this city was the proud capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia Croesus. By John's day, it has fallen on hard times, and its former splendor under Croesus is mere history. Similarly, the Christian congregation there has become spiritually impoverished. For the first time, Jesus does not begin his message with a word of commendation. Instead, he says: "An to the angel of the congregation in Sardis write: These are the thins that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the sevens stars, 'I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead.' "- Revelation 3:1.

Why does Jesus identify himself as the one "who has the seven spirits"? Because these spirits represent Jehovah's holy spirit flowing in its fullness. Later, John describes them also as "seven eyes," indicating the penetrating vision that God's holy spirit bestows on Jesus. (Revelation 5:6) Thus, he is able to uncover and handle any situation that may exist. (Matthew 10:26; 1Corinthians 4:5) The congregation in Sardis has the reputation of being alive, active. But Jesus can see that it is spiritually dead. Evidently, most of its members have relapsed into an apathy similar to their condition before they became Christians.- Compare Ephesians 2:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14.

Jesus also reminds "the angel of the congregation in Sardis" that He is the one who has "the seven stars." He holds those congregation elders in his right hand, having authority to direct them in their shepherding work. They should set their hearts to 'knowing positively the appearance of the flock.' (Proverbs 27:23) Hence, they had better listen carefully to Jesus' next words: "Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you."- Revelation 3:2, 3.

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